Android Wear 2.0 It undoubtedly represents one of the biggest leaps forward in the evolution of smartwatches running Google's operating system. This update not only introduces a revamped interface and greater independence of the smartwatch from the smartphone, but also expands customization, integrates new ways of interacting, offers support for mobile payments, and many improvements focused on health and sports. If you want to know more All the new features of Android Wear 2.0 for smartwatchesThis article details each section in depth.
Key new features of Android Wear 2.0 for smartwatches
Interface redesign: more intuitive, clear and customizable
One of the most visible changes in Android Wear 2.0 is its renewed user interfaceGoogle has opted for a much cleaner, clearer design adapted to the small screens of watches. The app menu now features a circular layout optimized for round watches and makes scrolling between apps easier, displaying more information on the screen, with large icons and streamlined navigation using the crown or the touchscreen.
The visual interface incorporates new smooth animations and better-adapted notifications that take up less space and display relevant information more directly. Notifications can also change background colors based on the app and fill the entire watch face only when necessary, allowing you to quickly view content and respond efficiently.
Furthermore, the watch face selector Now you can change the watch face with a simple sideways gesture, making it easy to switch between different styles and settings depending on the time of day or activity. You no longer need to navigate through complex menus to customize your watch: with a couple of taps, you can completely change the visual and functional experience.
Within each watch face, Android Wear 2.0 introduces the concept of customizable complications: Elements that display additional information such as steps, calories, events, weather, messages, battery level, etc., and can be added, removed, or reordered as desired. This represents a leap in productivity, as you can tailor your watch exactly to your needs without relying on predefined watch faces from manufacturers.
Watch face customization is further expanded with third-party app support, so widgets, shortcuts, health and fitness data, and other services can be easily integrated into your preferred watch face. You can check out the best apps for Android Wear and further enhance your experience.
Greater independence from the smartphone and native apps on the watch
One of the great advances of Android Wear 2.0 is the independence of the smartwatch from the smartphoneUntil now, installing apps or enjoying certain features required having your phone nearby and paired. With the arrival of the Google Play Store integrated into the watch, you can download, install, update, and manage apps directly on your smartwatch, without having to use your phone.
This is especially relevant for iOS users, as they can now also install apps and access Android services directly from the watch, expanding the device's compatibility and usefulness across any ecosystem.
Apps on Android Wear 2.0 work like Standalone Apps, meaning they can operate completely autonomously from your wrist if the watch has Wi-Fi or LTE connectivity. You can use messaging services, make calls, play music (like Spotify with offline downloads), track your exercise, or even use transit and navigation apps without having to carry your phone. Discover the ideal alarm clock apps for Android Wear.
Additionally, users have more control over which apps to install and manage on their watch. Not only are all apps automatically synced from their phone, but you can choose exactly which ones you want to bring to your smartwatch, further personalizing the experience and better managing the device's storage and battery.
Mobile payments from your smartwatch: Android Pay and NFC support
One of the most futuristic and anticipated aspects of Android Wear 2.0 is the integration of mobile payments using Android Pay directly from the watch. This feature allows any user with a compatible smartwatch and NFC chip to make payments in physical stores simply by touching their wrist to the payment terminal.
Security is ensured through authentication methods such as PIN, password, or pattern on the watch itself, and no card data is stored locally; instead, all transactions use temporary tokens. This feature puts Android Wear 2.0 on par with competitors like Apple Pay or Samsung Pay, enabling a convenient and streamlined contactless payment experience.
It should be noted that Payment functionality is only available on NFC-enabled watchesIt's important to check device compatibility before attempting to use this feature in physical stores. With the expansion of Android Pay and Google Pay to more countries and banks, its use is becoming more practical and global every day.
Once you've set up the payment system on your watch, it's very easy to use: just wake up the screen, select Android Pay, and hold the device close to the terminal to complete the purchase.
Smart replies and new input methods
Communication from the smartwatch has been transformed thanks to new methods of rapid response to notificationsNow, you can reply to messages not only with voice or predefined responses, but also using a screen-adapted QWERTY keyboard, handwriting recognition, or even drawing emojis.
The QWERTY keyboard, despite the small screen size, is surprisingly accurate and allows you to type by tapping letters or using Swype-style swipes. The handwriting feature accurately detects the letters or words you draw with your finger, making it easy to reply to messages without having to dictate aloud—very useful in noisy environments or where discretion is required.
In addition, Android Wear 2.0 has boosted the smart suggested answers, which analyze the received message and propose appropriate contextual responses, speeding up interaction in messaging applications such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook Messenger, SMS, email, etc.
This ability to communicate in multiple ways from your wrist, without relying on your phone, marks a turning point in the agility and privacy of smartwatch notifications, making everyday life easier both in your personal and professional life.
Google Assistant: the built-in smart assistant
For the first time, Android Wear version 2.0 incorporates Google Assistant natively on compatible smartwatches. This virtual assistant allows you to perform a wide variety of queries and actions without touching your smartphone using voice commands or the watch's crown. Learn about the features of the Google Assistant on Android Wear
Thanks to the Google Assistant, you can send messages, check your calendar and schedule, ask for weather forecasts, set reminders, find addresses, control smart home devices, or check sports scores. The assistant responds both with voice and onscreen, creating a smooth, lag-free experience.
At launch, language support was limited, but Google has been progressively expanding its compatibility. If Spanish isn't yet supported on your device, you can set the assistant to English and enjoy most features, pending future updates.
Invoking the assistant is as simple as holding down the watch's crown or saying the command "OK Google." The level of integration is also evident in managing routines and controlling your own or third-party apps, which greatly increases the smartwatch's potential as a control center for your daily life.
Sports improvements: advanced integration of Google Fit and sensors
Android Wear 2.0 takes a qualitative leap in the section of physical activity and health monitoring, especially thanks to the deep integration of Google Fit. This revamped app lets you track steps, distance, calories, heart rate, and other metrics while walking, running, or cycling. More details about Google Fit on Android Wear
One of the great advances is the strength training mode, which automatically detects repetitions and gym exercises such as weightlifting, push-ups, squats, and burpees. The app recognizes more than 20 types of exercises, tracks them in real time, and allows you to enter the weight used, keeping a history of your progress for weekly or monthly comparison.
Another advantage is the Integration with sensors such as GPS and heart rate monitor on compatible watches, allowing you to record routes, speed, altitude, and heart rate without needing a phone. This battery life makes Android Wear watches a solid alternative to dedicated sports devices.
Google Fit also measures and detects exercises that don't directly involve the wrist, thanks to the use of accelerometers and gyroscopes. All this data is synced with your Google account, allowing you to access your history from your phone, the web, or your watch at any time.
Additionally, the app supports personalized routines, sets daily goals, and notifies you of achievements, encouraging physical activity and improving health for users of all profiles.
Increased compatibility and support for iOS
Android Wear 2.0 extends its compatibility beyond the Android ecosystem, allowing iPhone users enjoy most of the featuresThe presence of the Google Play Store on the watch removes previous restrictions, so even with a paired iPhone, you can install apps, use the keyboard, and access Google services from the smartwatch.
Although some advanced features may be limited by system integration, the user experience is greatly enhanced. Notifications, customization, activity monitoring, and the use of standalone apps are also available to iOS users, increasing the versatility of these devices in any scenario.
Smart notifications and quick settings bar
Notifications in Android Wear 2.0 have been redesigned to be more responsive. more comfortable, discreet and effectiveAlerts now appear as bubbles that don't obscure the on-screen information, allowing you to view them for a few seconds and then minimize them so they don't interrupt your activity.
If you choose to interact with a notification, you can see the full information along with all the available actions, without having to scroll through screens. This makes it easier to reply to messages, archive emails, accept invitations, or manage reminders right from your watch. Tools for capturing screenshots on Android Wear
The new quick settings bar It lets you modify essential settings like brightness, silent mode, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection, and battery status. Access to full settings is just a tap away, as is the ability to quickly restart or shut down the watch. Plus, you can disable system apps you don't need to see, keeping the device light and efficient.
Featured apps and widgets on Android Wear 2.0
With Android Wear 2.0 they arrive new widgets or tiles for the watch's home screen. These widgets provide quick access to essential content and controls, such as weather, heart rate, upcoming events, music playback, or sports metrics. Apps like Shazam on Android Wear
Among the most popular widgets are those for Spotify (even with offline listening), Strava, Calm (for meditation), and many more. All of these elements can be configured and rearranged according to the user's preferences, and new widgets continue to arrive from third-party developers.
Thanks to this architecture, you can transform your watch into a productivity, health, or entertainment hub, choosing which information you want to always have visible and accessible. The customization potential is one of the most valued aspects by advanced Android Wear 2.0 users.
Support and update for existing models
Android Wear 2.0 was initially released on flagship models like the LG Watch Sport and LG Watch Style (both developed in collaboration with Google), but over time it has been rolled out to numerous smartwatches already on the market that meet the hardware requirements. Compatible watches include:
- ASUS ZenWatch 2 and ZenWatch 3
- Casio Smart Outdoor Watch and PRO TREK Smart
- Fossil Q Founder, Q Marshal, Q Wander
- Huawei Watch
- LG Watch R, Watch Urbane, Urbane 2nd Edition LTE
- Michael Kors Access Smartwatches
- Moto 360 second generation, Moto 360 Sport, Moto 360 for Women
- New Balance RunIQ
- Nixon Mission
- polar M600
- TAG Heuer Connected
The arrival of Android Wear 2.0 on these devices allows users to enjoy virtually all of the update's new features, although some features may vary depending on the hardware (for example, NFC payments are only available on watches with this chip). Casio debuts on Android Wear with new features.
Reference models: LG Watch Sport and LG Watch Style
Google and LG jointly presented smartwatches LG Watch Sport y LG Watch Style to showcase the full potential of Android Wear 2.0. The former is geared toward sports and intensive physical activity, incorporating GPS, NFC, IP68 water and dust resistance, a Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor, 1GB of RAM, and a large battery. The LG Watch Style, meanwhile, features an elegant and lightweight design, with features tailored to more everyday use.
Both models serve as a guide to understanding how to fully utilize the operating system, although the user experience improves with any smartwatch updated to version 2.0 and compatible with its core functions.
Enhanced privacy and security
Android Wear 2.0 introduce new security measures Both for Android Pay transactions and for accessing the system and apps. Users can protect access to the watch with a PIN, pattern, or password, preventing the use of functions, data, or payments if it's lost or stolen. Security improvements in Android Lollipop and Wear OS
Permission management has been fine-tuned so that each installed app requests only the necessary access, and personal data related to health, activity, and payments is kept encrypted and synced exclusively with the user's Google account.
